After 4 years of driving a stock LLY I've decided to do some upgrades. I bought a predator tuner, BD Diesel full bore manifold, Corsa exhaust w/cat delete, Diamond Eye turbo outlet pipe, AFE mouthpiece, and installed an EGT and Boost gauge. I'm back and forth on whether or not to do an intake, and my next big purchase is a Banks Techni-Cooler. What I'd like to know is if any of you that have done similar upgrades have considered changing, of have changed, their head studs? I don't plan on running the race tunes in the truck so I'm not sure if I need this upgrade or not. I work with an engineer who worked at International Diesel here in Alabama and he said that it would be a wise consideration if raising the power output over 10-15% from stock configuration. Would appreciate any input, Thanks.

No need for headstuds at that power level.

I've wondered the same thing. From what I've read, you should be OK as long as you don't go much north of 500-550 RWHP. You'll need to do something about the tranny before you get there. Has quite a bit to do with how you drive it.

BTW, you should consider doing your turbo MP - with your mods you will notice a nice improvement. Also, I can't speak highly enough about the TxC CAI - between that and removing the inner fender aluminum foil thing, you can get all of the true cold air you can feed your engine. The LBZ or Kodiak turbo MP will make use of all of that cold air... just what the doctor ordered. ):h

Every truck is different, but, I agree, head studs isnt needed for a Diablo Predator.

I ran the Predator for over a year with no change in head studs. Now when I went to EFI....... well, lets just say I have ARP head studs now. : )

I ran the Predator for over a year with no change in head studs. Now when I went to EFI....... well, lets just say I have ARP head studs now. : )

Interesting... Darren, take a look at your dyno numbers and mine. Maybe I need to reconsider head studs... :think:

I have the sheets in my garage from the stock tune and the modified efi tune... Might just be a difference in the dyno's. I did my runs at Huckstorfs shop on the load cell. I still can't really explain the plot on the modified tune.

I am sure they help in some way. All I know is I am not puking fliud down the passenger side of my truck any more. LOL

After 4 years of driving a stock LLY I've decided to do some upgrades. I bought a predator tuner, BD Diesel full bore manifold, Corsa exhaust w/cat delete, Diamond Eye turbo outlet pipe, AFE mouthpiece, and installed an EGT and Boost gauge. I'm back and forth on whether or not to do an intake, and my next big purchase is a Banks Techni-Cooler. What I'd like to know is if any of you that have done similar upgrades have considered changing, of have changed, their head studs? I don't plan on running the race tunes in the truck so I'm not sure if I need this upgrade or not. I work with an engineer who worked at International Diesel here in Alabama and he said that it would be a wise consideration if raising the power output over 10-15% from stock configuration. Would appreciate any input, Thanks.

I personally would spend my $1000 elsewhere for now.

Head studs are not needed with stock bottom end IMO. Your rods will shorten before your head bolts lengthen

Darren's truck lost a head gasket, but I dont think it was a result of stepping up power. Tuning could do it, but hard to say. If the gaskets will leak, they will leak. If you do have to pull the heads to replace the gaskets, it would make sense to install them since its apart, but to pull it down to simply replace the studs, save your money

i heard you only need them when you re building 45 -50lbs. of boost, which you ll never see with a stock turbo.

i heard you only need them when you re building 45 -50lbs. of boost, which you ll never see with a stock turbo.

I have my turbos waste gated at 50psi and have hit it many times when I run IdahoRob's race tune and have stock head studs and internals and haven't had a problem yet, but then again I have plans to do a full race build if I ever damage mine so I am not worried about head studs for now.

These engine are a lot stronger then people give them credit for as long as you have a good tune and don't abuse it.

I don't plan to install studs just for the sake of doing it, but if my head gaskets fail I'm not putting it back together with stretch bolts.

IMO you don't need studs with what you are currently running, but if for some reason you have to tear the heads off, then do like the others here are saying... don't put it back together stock.